The National University enjoyed their biggest win yet this UAAP Season 80 Women’s Basketball Tournament when they cruised to a 92-38 rout of the University of the Philippines today at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University.
Trixie Antiquera shot 8-for-16 from downtown to lead NU 24 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter.
Ria Nabalan, Rhena Itesi, and Jack Animam contributed double-doubles with 17 points and 10 rebounds, 12 points and 11 rebounds, and 11 points and 12 rebounds respectively to the NU cause.
Moreover, every Lady Bulldog fielded was able to score in the contest.
“I’m just happy we’re still there (on top) and it’s the hardwork of the girls that did it all. No credit to me but for the girls. Lahat sila na talagang they want to win everytime they play. They treat every game as a championship game,” commented NU coach Pat Aquino.
The Lady Bulldogs enjoyed a strong start to the contest, as Itesi converted two charities to hand NU a 36-13 advantage just before the break.
It was smooth sailing for NU from that point onward, and a Trixie Antiquera trey handed the Lady Bulldogs their biggest lead of the ballgame at 90-33 late in the final period. The game then ended NU 92-38 UP in what was a fitting win to cap off the first round for Aquino’s wards.
“Antiquera’s gonna be there. Sabi ko sa inyo before that if we don’t hit from the outside, it’s gonna be hard for us in the inside. It’s good that she’s hitting outside shots,” explained Aquino.
NU caught 61 rebounds against UP’s 34, which helped the former clinch a mouth-watering 46 inside points compared to the latter’s 14. The Lady Bulldogs’ starters also produced 56 points, a far cry from the Lady Maroons’ 12.
Today is also NU’s 55th win in the competition stretching four seasons already.
Pesky Pesquera led UP with eight markers. The Lady Maroons shot a horrid 25 percent from the field and attempted just eight free throws.
“Before kase we had two superstars na aasahan mo na lang sina Afril Bernardino and Gemma Miranda but this time it’s more of teamwork, togetherness. Everybody is pitching in,” concluded Aquino
NU (7-0) shall wait for the next set of fixtures after they swept the first round, while State U (0-6) still have the Adamson University to play against on October 7, 8:00 AM, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Scores:
NU (92) – Antiquera 24, Nabalan 17, Itesi 12, Animam 11, Lopez 6, Camelo 4, Tanesa 4, Ceno 3, Ano-os 2, Cacho 2, Del Carmen 2, Layug 2, Sison 2, Harada 1.
UP (38) – Pesquera 8, Dominga 6, Isip 6, Medina 5, Ordoveza 4, Ongsiako 4, Cruz 2, Lapid 2, Bascon 1, Rodas, Esplana, Amar, Tan 0, Gatpatan 0, Viray 0.
Quarterscores: 22-10, 41-19, 71-29, 92-38.
